Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon
Mrs. J.A. Downing, resident of the county for nearly 50 years, passed away at the Enterprise hospital Saturday evening, August 7, 1937. She had made her home with her children in recent years, and went to the hospital when taken seriously ill.
Funeral services were held at the Booth chapel Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. H.G. Luscombe, pastor of the Methodist church, and burial was in the Wallowa cemetery.
Ella Zerba was born in Wisconsin July 13, 1862, and when she was young the family moved to Nebraska and then to Milton. She was married in Milton Nov. 7, 1881 to J.A. Downing and they moved to Wallowa county in November, 1887, and bought the farms of Bill Phipps and John Cook in Leap. This remained in the family until last year when Frank Downing sold it.
J.A. Downing died Jan. 15, 1911, and the surviving children are: Frank Downing of Leap, Mrs. T.F. Lathrop of Enterprise, J.A. Downing of Caldwell, Idaho, Guy Downing of Wallowa, Harvey Downing of Jerome, Idaho, William M Downing of Enterprise and Mrs. Pete Knott of Dayton, Washington. There are 26 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Eight brothers and sisters survive Mrs. Downing: Mrs. O.A. Schubert of Athena, Mrs. E.E. Ferris of Walla Walla, Wash., Mrs. Blaine Dugger of Goldendale, Wash., Mrs. Martin Volwiler of Zillah, Wash., Ernest Zerba of Waitsburg, Wash., and Bert Zerba of Haines.
Mrs. Downing was a member of the Methodist church and was a devoted mother and a kind and generous neighbor.
Source:Enterprise Record Chieftain, Enterprise, Oregon, Thursday, August 12, 1937, Pg2
Contributed by: Sue Wells